Tailpiece for string instrument



May 1, 1956 o. P. BRAMSON 2,743,643

TAILPIECE FOR STRING INSTRUMENT Filed March 27, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR OTTO PETRUS BRAMSON A T TORNE YS y 1956 o. P. BRAMSON 2,743,643

TAILPIECE FOR STRING INSTRUMENT Filed March 27. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 vnllllllllh.

INVENTOR OTTO PETRUS BRAMSON ATTORNEYS May 1, 1956 o. P BRAMSON 2,743,643

TAILPIECE FOR STRING INSTRUMENT Filed March 27, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheec 3 INVENTOI? OTTO PETRUS BRAMSO A T TORNEYS United States Patent TAILPIECE FOR STRING INSTRUMENT Otto Petrus Bramson, Stockholm, Sweden Application March 27, 1952, Serial No. 278,788

11 Claims. (Cl. 84-302) The present invention relates to portable string instruments, particularly violins, bass-viols and violon-cellos. Further it is applicable to guitars, mandolins and the like. Violins of the hitherto used type consist of a belly, a back and a frame interposed between said belly and back. On said belly the strings are mounted and held under tension by means of a tail piece which in turn is held by a flexible loop to a button inserted into the portion of the violin. To give a sufficient strength to this part of the frame a solid end block is usually secured to the inside of the frame between the belly and the back'and the button is provided with a pin inserted through an aperture in the frame into a bore in the end block. This known arrangement suffers from the inconvenience that the provision of the end block, being under stress from the button pin, appreciably disturbs the musical qualities of the violin. The reason is that the vibrations have a natural tendency to produce a maximum amplitude in the frame in a zone halfway between the belly and theback which, however, is prevented in a region outside the end block.

One object of the present invention is to separate acoustically the frame and belly from the fixing means for the strings.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the fixing means in such a way that they make contact with the violin only at the natural nodal points or zones thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new fixing or anchoring means for the strings of a stringed instrument, which anchoring means utilizes the inherent tension of the strings for maintaining the anchoring means in position. By this new arrangement, no screw means whatsoever need be utilized for anchoring the strings to the instrument.

A further object is to provide a chin rest support which is free from the vibrating portions of the instrument.

A still further object is to make this chin rest adjustable.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings on which Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of the tail portion of a violin whereas Fig. 2 is a section on line II'II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the violin illustrated in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification in fragmentary end view and side view respectively.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragments of side views of modified embodiments whereas Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view of a further embodiment, relating to a guitar.

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragments of still further modifications shown in fragmentary side views.

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragments of a side view and of an end view respectively of a bass-violor violon-cello.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the violin consists of a belly 1 and a back 2 which are held together ice by a frame 3, beads 4 and 5 forming junctions between the belly 1 and the frame 3 and between the latter and the back 2. The strings 6 are fixed to a tail piece 7 and this is held by a flexible loop 8 to a button 9. This is integral with a rigid member 10 having a jaw 11 gripping around the bead 5. The member 10 is maintained in position through the medium of jaw 11, at one end thereof, and the inherent tension of strings 6 as transmitted through tail piece 7 and loop 8 to button 9, at the other end thereof. The button 9 is so designed that it is free and spaced from the adjacent portion of the frame 3 when the loop 8 is pressing against the head 4 or an edge portion 12 protruding therefrom. The jaw 11 is provided with two threaded studs 13 and 14 with which two sleeves 15 and 16 with an internal threading are in thread engagement. At the opposite ends of said sleeves there are two angular studs 17, 18 threaded thereinto said studs forming a support for a chin rest 19. As. seen in Fig. 2 the chin rest is so mounted and designed that it is free and spaced from the belly 1. It should be noted that the threaded sleeves 15 and 16 are completely independent of the belly, back, or frame of the instrument, and that these sleeves are spaced from the instrument and serve exclusively to adjust the distance between the chin rest and the instrument.

In this embodiment it is apparent that the tensile force exerted by the strings 6 will be taken up wholly by the beads 4 and 5 whereas the frame 3 will be entirely unloaded from any such stress, so that it is allowed to vibrate freely according to its own nature.

If a violin is built from the beginning no end block need be fixed to the tail portion of the frame 3. However, the invention may also be applied to old violins in which case the end block 20 as indicated with dash and dot lines in Fig. 2 may be left as this is preferred rather than to violate the structure of the violin by removing the end block. Even if this end block is left where it is but the button 9 made free therefrom as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the sound from the violin will be greatly improved due to the fact that the tension from the strings now is supported solely on the beads 4 and 5 which naturally form nodal zones on the violin.

By adjusting the sleeves 15 and 16 the height of the chin rest 19 may be adjusted so that its inside is just free and spaced from the belly 1 and, of course, so as to accommodate and fit the players chin. It is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize other types of adjusting means known in the art. Also in this way the pressure exerted by the players chin on the chin rest will be transferred to the head 5 whereas such portions of the violin which have a natural tendency to vibrate and form anti-nodes are left entirely free.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the button 9a is formed on the outside of a forked member 21 having a jaw 11a engaging the bead 5 and an upper jaw 11b enga ing the head 4 in such a way that the member 21 is entirely free from the frame 3. The member 21 is above provided with extensions 22a, 22b formed integral with the chin rest 19a. Also in this embodiment all forces from the strings and from the chin rest are supported by the beads 4 and 5.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 the tail piece 7 is held by the flexible loop 8a at an eyelet in a flange 12a formed in the bead 4. In this way, of course, the frame 3 is entirely unloaded from the strings.

In Fig. 8 the guitar is provided with a plane side or belly 1b and a plane back 2b. These are united by means of a frame 315. At the tail end of the guitar there is secured a saddle or bead 12b at the junction between the belly 1b and the frame 3b and another saddle or.

bead12c at the junction between the back Zb'and the frame-3b. The forked member 21b is of a design similar to--the member 21 in Figs. 4 and Sand has a jaw 11b engaging the bead 12c. As in the case of a guitar no chin rest is required, the button may be provided higher up than the button 9:: of Fig. 5. The loop 8b is stretched over the bead 12b and taken around the button 9b. The member 21b is free and spacedfrom the frame 3b. As is apparent the tail piece 7 and its fixing-means have no engagement with the vibrating portions of the belly 112 but engage solely such portions of the guitar which are'close to the natural nodal zones thereof.

In Fig. 7 the loop Sb is held by a hook 28 provided on a member 29 extend ng outside the frame 3 and having its back portion formed as a jaw 11b engaging behind the bead 5.

In Fig. 9 there is provided a bent member 30:: engaging the bead 4 and another bent member 39b engaging the bead 5. The member 30a has a hook 31a engaging the flexible loop 8c and another hook 311) engaging a string or other tie '32 extending to and engaging a hook 33- provided on the member 3%. The tension transferred through parts 80, 30a and 32 is taken up by the member 30b acting on the bead whereas member 319a exerts pressure on the bead 4. The frame 3 is not subjected to any lateral pressure preventing its vibrations.

'In Fig. the hook 300 supports directly the flexible loop 3d extending across and bearing against the bead 9 4 and-a projection 12d extending therefrom.

The embodiment shown in Figs. ll and 12 is based on the general design shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The embodiment shown in Figs. ll and 12 relates, however, to a heavy bass-viol or violon-cello and is for the arrangementof the generally used spear shaped support adapted to bear on the floor. In this instance the forked member 21a is provided with a button 90 on its inside and its upper portion is provided with a projection 34 bearing against the head 4. On the outside of the button 9c the member 21a is integral with asleeve 35 into which the support 36 maybe inserted and fixed thereto, if desired.

In this case the member 21a takes up both the force from the strings and the pressure from the support'36. The resultant force is taken up entirely by the beads 4 and 5 and the frame 3 is entirely free from any forces damping its natural vibrations.

The above described embodiments are to be considered as examples only as the inventive idea may be applied in many different ways apparent to those skilled in the art, the scope of the invention being confined solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. 'A portable string instrument, particularly a violin, having a belly, a back, and a frame interposed between said belly and back, a first junction between said frame and said belly, a second junction between said frame and said back, said back defining a natural nodal zone adjacent said second junction, strings, a tail piece, pliant ties connected'at their one ends to said tail piece and being slidably supported on said first junction, a rigid anchoring member engaging the outside of the said back over a contact surface restricted to the said nodal zone, said anchoring means being otherwise spaced from said belly and from said second junction, the opposite ends of said ties being retained by said anchoringmember, said ties and said anchoring member being held in their positions under tension by the string tension so as to be free from said frame, and said tail piece being held by said string tension in a position free of said belly.

2. A stringed instrument having a belly, a back, and a frame interposed between said belly and back, a

Ifirst junction between said frame andsaid belly, a second junction between said frame and said back, said back defining anatural nodal zoneadjacent-said second junction, an anchoring member having first and second extensions, said first extension being spaced from said frame and said second extension engaging said instrument adjacent said second junction over a contact surface restricted to said nodal zone, an elongated tail piece adjacent said belly and .spaced therefrom, tie pieces slidably supported on said first junction and coupling one end of said'tail' piece to said spaced first extension, and a plurality of'strings coupled to: the other end of said tail piece, said anchoring member being held in place by the forces ofsaid second extension upon said instrument and by the tensile forces of said strings, translated through said tail piece and tie pieces, upon said spaced first extension.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 1, in which said anchoring means further comprises a tie holder free from the frame and afiixed to said anchoring member, and pliant ties interconnecting said tailpiece with said tie holder.

4. Aninstrument as claimed in claim 3, in which said anchoring member is a hook-shaped member having first and second'extensions, the said first extension engaging said back and the second extension carrying said tie holder.

5. An instrument as claimed in claim 4, in which said tie holder is interposed between said extension and said frame, said tie holder being spaced from said frame.

6. An instrument as claimed in'claim 1, further comprising a chin rest adjustably supported adjacent said belly by said anchoring member, said chin rest being free from and spaced from 'said tail piece and said frame.

7. An instrument as claimed in claim'4, further comprising a chin rest supported adjacent said belly by said first extension of said hook-shaped member, said chin rest being free from and spaced from said tail piece and said frame.

8. An instrument as claimed in'claim 7, in which said chin rest comprises a chin rest member and adjustable tie rods interconnecting said member with said first extension.

9. An instrument as claimed in claim l, further comprising a chin rest rigidly secured to said anchoring member but being otherwise spaced and free from other parts of the instrument.

10. An instrument as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first bead provided at said first junction, a second bead provided at said second junction, a tail pin provided in said second bead, and flexible ties interconnecting said tail piece with said tail pin and making contact-with said first head but being spaced from said frame.

HQ-An instrument,particularly a violon-cello or a bass-Viol, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a holder secured to said anchoring member adjacent said back and adapted to-accommodate a floor support for the instrument.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 437,604 Kelley Sept. 30, 1890 1,248,269 Connors NOV. 27, 1917 1,514,590 Parr NOV. 4, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS 83,833 Germany Nov. 2, 1895 24,797 France June26, 1922. 

